Article of footwear

ABSTRACT

An article of footwear, such as a high heeled shoe, has a resilient midsole layer having a thickness of at least about 5 mm which is formed in a lattice arrangement for providing comfort to the wearer.

This invention relates to high-heeled Footwear, and in particular to high-heeled shoes or boots.

A problem with high heeled shoes is that they can become uncomfortable after extended periods of wear. High heeled shoes are often preferred in particular by women for formal or other occasions where smart dress is required. However wearers often experience pain or discomfort after a short period particularly of standing, walking or dancing. This leads to some wearers needing to carry with them a pair of flatter shoes to change into if the discomfort becomes excessive or for walking any significant distances, which can be inconvenient. Alternatively a wearer may feel the need to choose flatter shoes than they would have preferred to wear on some occasions due to reasons of comfort.

Some shoes, including flat shoes, have a thin cushion layer provided as part of the insole of the shoe in an attempt to improve comfort. Thin gel cushions are also available separately to be inserted into the shoe under the ball of the foot to alleviate the discomfort in this area. However these measures tend to make only a minor improvement to comfort, and still do net allow extended wear of the shoes without discomfort or pain. It is an object of the invention to improve the comfort of high heeled footwear such as shoes or boots.

Thus according to the present invention, there is provided an article of footwear having a sole and an upper, the sole comprising an outsole and an insole and a cushioning midsole layer between the insole and the outsole, in which the midsole layer comprises a resilient material formed in a lattice arrangement, with an array of hollow cells being provided between upright walls of the resilient material, the midsole layer having a thickness of at least about 5 mm, in which the midsole layer includes a shaped cushion element embedded in the forepart and/or in the heel part thereof, in which the shaped cushion element has a substantially toroid shape, and in which a heel end of the sole is raised by between about 50 mm and about 150 mm relative to a forepart of the sole.

Thus the midsole layer provides a comfortable ‘mattress’ for the foot, improving the wearability of the shoe. It has been found that a resilient lattice material is particularly suitable for this purpose since it provides cushioning whilst substantially maintaining its shape, which is advantageous for formal or ‘smart’ shoes. The shoe is high-heeled, such that the heel part of the sole is raised. by between about 50 mm and about 150 mm relative to the forepart

The midsole layer may be provided in the forepart only of the sole, where more discomfort is generally felt, or preferably is provided over substantially the entire area of the sole for greater comfort. The midsole layer is preferably at least about 25 mm thick, and more preferably between about 30 and 40 mm thick. The sole may include a substantially rigid lateral outer layer to maintain the shape of the shoe even when the midsole layer is deformed during wear.

The substantially toroid shaped cushion element may provide additional comfort and ‘spring’ during use. For example, the toroid element may be substantially solid, for example in the form of a rubber cushion, or may be at least partially hollow, such as an air cushion, or may be formed of another suitable material.

The midsole may be arranged to have a variable firmness dependent upon the shape or pressure distribution of the foot, for optimum comfort and/or in order to assist balance. For example, the midsole may be a bespoke element which may be made according to measurements such as shape or pressure measurements taken from the user's foot. This may be achieved for example by 3D printing of the midsole lattice layer, the 3D printing being programmed individually according to the individual's requirements.

The insole layer is preferably flexible or semi-flexible, and may be simply a layer of fabric. Optionally, where the insole layer is semi-flexible, it may extend around the outer periphery of the sole area only, at least in the forepart of the sole. The insole may also include a soft cushioning or foam layer, for example memory foam, which may extend over the cut out area. The foam layer may also extend over the inside of the upper for additional comfort and snugness of fit. This may be lined with a leather or similar lining.

Referring to FIG. 1, a shoe 2 comprises a sole 4 and an upper 6. The sole comprises an outsole 8, an insole 10 and a midsole layer 12 between the outsole and the insole. The outsole 8 may be of standard construction, and is commonly made of a suitable hardwearing material as is known in the art for contact with the ground during use of the shoe, such as a rubber material. The insole 10 may also be of standard construction, and is commonly made from a relatively thin soft covering for contact with the wearer's foot or sock, such as leather or artificial leather or other fabric, sometimes including a thin compressible element. The upper 6 is also of a standard type, commonly made of leather or a leather substitute material in the required shape according to the aesthetic design of the shoe, and in order to hold the shoe onto the wearer's foot. In this example the upper is shown in the style of a simple ladies court shoe, but it could also be in any other design for example being formed of straps such as in the case of a sandal.

The heel end 14 of the sole is raised off the ground relative to the forepart 16 of the sole by a heel element 18. The heel element is of standard type, generally being a thin or tapering element providing support across the heel area of the sole and extending therefrom in the case of a stiletto type shoe as shown in the figures. The heel element could also be in other forms such as a broader element or a wedge-shaped element which supports the sole additionally in the arch area 24, according to the style of the shoe. The sole and heel may alternatively be made as one component for a more sturdy shoe.

Referring also to FIG. 2, the midsole layer 12 is formed of a resilient material having a lattice formation, with an array of hollow cells 20 between upright walls 22. In this example the lattice forms diamond or square shaped cells, but it is envisaged that other shapes such as a honeycomb formation may also be suitable. In this example the cells are in the region of one centimetre in width, but could be smaller or larger than this depending upon the material used and/or the resilience required. Alternatively the midsole layer may be formed of a solid gel or rubber material. 

1. An article of footwear having a sole and an upper, the sole comprising an outsole and an insole and a cushioning midsole layer between the insole and the outsole, in which the midsole layer comprises a resilient material formed in a lattice arrangement, with an array of hollow cells being provided between upright walls of the resilient material, the midsole layer having a thickness of at least about 5 mm.
 2. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1, in which the midsole layer has a thickness between of at least about 10 mm, and up to about 50 mm.
 3. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the midsole layer has a thickness of at least about 25 mm.
 4. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 3, in which the midsole layer has a thickness of between about 30 and 40 mm.
 5. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a heel end of the sole is raised by at least about 20 mm, and preferably at least about 40 mm relative to a forepart of the sole.
 6. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 5, in which the heel end of the sole is raised by between about 50 mm and about 150 mm relative to the forepart.
 7. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the midsole layer extends across substantially the entire forepart region of the sole.
 8. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the midsole layer extends across substantially the entire area of the sole.
 9. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the midsole is arranged to deform up to about 20% in thickness during use.
 10. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the midsole layer is arranged to have a resilience which varies over the area thereof.
 11. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the sole comprises a substantially rigid lateral outer layer for maintaining the shape of the shoe in use.
 12. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the midsole layer includes a shaped cushion element embedded in the forepart and/or in the heel part thereof.
 13. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 12, in which the midsole layer includes a cushion element having a substantially toroid shape.
 14. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the insole layer comprises a thin cushioning layer, at least in the central forepart region thereof.
 15. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least a portion of the inside surface of the upper is provided with a thin cushioning layer.
 16. An article of footwear having a sole and an upper, the sole comprising an outsole and an insole and a resilient midsole layer therebetween, in which the midsole layer has a thickness of at least about 5 mm, and extends over substantially the entire area of the insole, a heel end of the sole being raised relative to a forepart end thereof by at least about 40 mm.
 17. An article of footwear as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the midsole layer is formed of a gel or rubber material.
 18. An article of footwear substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 